exposed zippers Archives ~ Angela Wolf's Sewing Blog

DIY: REFASHION A SWEATER INTO A SWEATER JACKET

I bought this sweater a few years back because the fabric is soft and fluffy, but I never wear it because the collar is too tight! I leave it in the drawer and pet it every once in a while 🙂 Even when I would attempt wear the sweater on a cold, wintry day; it was off in less than an hour; it’s even too uncomfortable to wear fishing! I would say to myself, “f I could just open that collar up.” Then it occurred to me … add a zipper and refashion the sweater into a jacket.

Supplies:

22” separating zipper (measure in the center of the sweater from the top of the collar to the hemline to determine the length of the zipper)
4 pieces of vinyl cut the length of the center front by 3” wide
Fusible interfacing 2” wide by the length of the center front of the sweater, including the collar
Non-stick foot
Zipper foot
Universal thread in coordinating color

Prep & Mark the Sweater

Start by marking the center front of the sweater. I am marking the sweater a contrasting color thread, if the fabric allows you can use a fabric marking pen or tailors chalk.

Turn the sweater inside out. Center the fusible interfacing along the center of the sweater and press in place.

Cut along the center marking, from hem to the top of the collar.

Sew the Zipper

Line up each side of the zipper with the vinyl as shown. Stitch along the edge of the zipper teeth.

To read the full blog and finish up your sweater upcycle, head over to my post as a Brother Expert Consultant on the Brother Stitching Sewcial. This is such a quick way to customize any bowl, I can’t wait to try different fabrics for the holiday season!

Cheers,

Behind the Scenes Live with Angela Wolf

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At Your Side Virtually! Episode 228 Quick Christmas & Holiday Gift Decoration Ideas

by Angela | December 17, 2021 | At Your Side Virtually!, Home Dec, Sewing Projects | 0 Comments

Quick & Easy Christmas & Holiday Decor Quick Table Runner Instructions Fabric Requirements: a. Center fabric: Sew together seven of the quilted blocksmade in the 7 7/8 x 14 in hoop. Five of the blocks will havethe applique design and the two ends will be...

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by Angela | September 2, 2021 | At Your Side Virtually!, Embroidery, Home Dec | 3 Comments

Episode 199 ~ At your side 🧵 Virtually! Create a mug run and decorate your coffee mug with vinyl Join Brother Brand Ambassador Angela Wolf and Brother Educator's Kathy Stipe and Barb Mikolajczyk Designing Mug Rugs in My Design Center-Quick and Easy Supplies needed:...

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by Angela Wolf | January 5, 2021 | At Your Side Virtually!, Fashion Sewing, Home Dec, Sewing, Sewing Projects, Tutorials | 5 Comments

Episode 133 ~ At your side 🧵 Virtually! Organizing and Sewing Clear Vinyl It's January and that means it time to organize for a new year! Today I show how to sew clear vinyl for bags to store patterns and ideas for organizing button and beads; two of my my favorite...

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by Angela | May 7, 2020 | Beginners Guide to Fashion Sewing, Fashion Sewing, Home Dec, Sewalong, Sewing, Sewing Projects | 0 Comments

Apron Sew Along An apron is such a fun accessory to wear in the kitchen, at work, while dyeing fabrics, gardening, you name it! I thought it would be so fun to sew an apron and each day have guests on the live show showing how to embellish with embroidery, quilting,...

Great class for beginners or advanced!! I’ve been sewing for a very long time, but have always avoided knits. This class takes the fear out of sewing with knits. Loved all the tips for sewing with knits from cutting them out to sewing it up. Thanks Angela for sharing your time and knowledge with us.

Sharon Moore

How to Sew Exposed Zippers in Jeans and Jeggings!

With October’s Wardrobe Challenge including zippers, I thought now would be a good time to share a few easy ways to embellish with exposed zippers.

A fun way to change the look of a pair of jeans is to embellish the leg with an exposed zipper. Follow along:

Supplies Needed:

Strip of fusible interfacing cut 3″ wide and at least 2″ longer the zipper,
2 metal zippers (any length)
#14 denim Jean needle
Thread of choice
Fabric pen
Quilter’s Ruler
Scissors
Tailor’s Clapper

Step 1: On the wrong side of the fabric, mark the center of the pant leg (could be front or back, wherever you want the zipper).

If marking an existing pair of jeans, rip out the hem at least 5″ from each side of new mark. Press the fusible interfacing along the newly marked center line.

Step 2: Mark the hem, hem allowance, and the length of the zipper opening down center of the pant leg.

Step 3: Determine the width of the zipper opening (depends on the width of the zipper teeth). Draw in opening, top edge, and then add a triangle from the center cut line to each corner (as shown above).

Step 4: Cut along center marking. Cut each triangle point (if you are worried about the fabric fraying, add Fray Check to the top corners)

Step 5: Press the seam allowances back and press triangle tip up.

Step 6: Line up the zipper with the metal teeth in the center of the opening. Check the placement of the zipper stop and zipper tab.

Step 7: Fold back the zipper tape and press in place at the hemline.

Step 8: Pin zipper in place.

Step 9: In this example, I am using standard polyester thread, cotton or silk thread would work too. Set the sewing machine to a triple stitch and lengthen the stitch length to 4.0. (Note: if you don’t have this feature, use denim thread, straight stitch, stitch length 4.0)

Step 10: Stitch along the edge of the zipper. Open and close the zipper as needed in order to get the foot by the zipper tab. Step 11: Notice how I have lined up the edge of the zipper foot with the metal teeth, a very easy to get a straight stitch … or this would be a great time to utilize the laser vision guide feature on your machine! 🙂

Step 12: Press up the hem with the tailor’s clapper for a crisp crease. By the way, did I mention WAWAK Sewing is now carrying my tailor’s clapper! Yeah!